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Some in GOP worried over Fla. governor’s missteps

FILE- In this April 29, 2014 file photo, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks to members of the media after a ceremony during which he presented "Governor's Veterans Service Award," medals to veterans in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Gov. Scott’s campaign for re-election is hitting Democratic rival Charlie Crist with a barrage of attacks but his campaign team has also committed a series of blunders this year. (AP Photo, File)
FILE- In this April 29, 2014 file photo, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks to members of the media after a ceremony during which he presented "Governor's Veterans Service Award," medals to veterans in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Gov. Scott’s campaign for re-election is hitting Democratic rival Charlie Crist with a barrage of attacks but his campaign team has also committed a series of blunders this year. (AP Photo, File) FILE- In this April 29, 2014 file photo, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks to members of the media after a ceremony during which he presented "Governor's Veterans Service Award," medals to veterans in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Gov. Scott’s campaign for re-election is hitting Democratic rival Charlie Crist with a barrage of attacks but his campaign team has also committed a series of blunders this year. (AP Photo, File)

By Associated Press 5 min read

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Republican Gov. Rick Scott is a multimillionaire and flies in a private jet, yet his campaign decided to criticize Democratic challenger Charlie Crist as an elitist for wearing a Rolex watch.

Democrats pointed out the hypocrisy, and the ensuing media coverage reminded voters that Scott’s net worth dwarfed Crist’s. Several more of Scott’s attacks backfired, and the campaign made other gaffes, including alienating one of its biggest donors.

Polls show the two candidates are roughly tied ahead of November’s general election. But the missteps have been noticed by the people Scott will need in a tight re-election: The activists and the donors who help propel a campaign.

“There’s a lot of curious things going on,” said Tony DiMatteo, former chairman of the Pinellas County Republican Party.

Scott filled his campaign team and top state party posts with non-Floridians brought in to help his re-election. Some wonder if the lack of institutional knowledge of the state has hurt their media strategy.